About Us

Hi, I’m Sheila O’Connor, the owner of Summer Nights Farm in Mills River, NC.  I retired from 28 years of working in wildlife conservation in 2018. 

During that time, I lived, worked, and gardened across the U.S. From Zone 4b in St. Paul, MN, to Zone 9a in St. Simons Island, GA.  I have also lived in the Chicago area, Ann Arbor, MI, and Portland, OR.

I have always loved gardening.  When I retired in 2018, I purposely looked for a property with few pre-existing garden beds, ample sunshine, and at least one acre.  Wanting peace and quiet, I intended to spend the next 20 years gardening.  I found it in Mills River, NC, where I live on three acres with three dogs, Iris, Hazel and Sawyer.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, I had never heard of cut flower farming.  During the lockdown, like many others, I became well-acquainted with YouTube.  In January 2020, I was watching vegetable gardening videos and got sucked into the YouTube vortex (the one where you watch video after video and suddenly realize you haven’t moved off the couch in five hours).  I happened upon a video about cut flower farming.  From then on, I was hooked on the idea of cut flower farming.

While I am not certified as an organic grower, I follow organic and sustainable practices.  I use only products that are labeled as organic.  I focus on enhancing the soil rather than dumping chemicals onto it.  So, feel free to put your face right into one of my bouquets and take a deep breath!  Feel the softness of the flowers on your cheek.  Bring my flowers into your home, give them to loved ones with confidence.  I care as much as you do.  I would never sell you a flower I wouldn’t have in my own home!